Higher security at northern border to keep out illegals

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

KUALA LUMPUR: Security at the northern border of Malaysia has been strengthened to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants who are fleeing Thailand following a crackdown there, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said these migrants might enter Malaysia as the Malaysia-Thailand border was porous.

"We have alerted our maritime and marine police to patrol the sea border with our northern neighbours. At the same time, we are strengthening the border security on land," he added.

On the group of illegal migrants found in Langkawi, Dr Wan Junaidi said police and immigration officers were currently investigating what had happened to them and ascertaining their nationalities.

After that, the Immigration Depart­ment and Home Ministry will talk with the respective embassies for repatriation of their nationals, he added.

"Then, the process of documentation and repatriation of the illegals can be carried out," he said, adding that he believed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representatives would also be there to conduct their own investigation on the "refugee status" of the group.